Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a soil stabilization and particularly to a method for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil.
Description of Related Art
[002] Expansive soils belong to a category that displays considerable volume changes based on moisture fluctuations. These soils are known for their ability to swell when wet and contract when dry, posing significant challenges in civil and geotechnical engineering. Their propensity for volumetric shifts can severely impact construction and infrastructure stability, resulting in structural damage and costly repairs.
[003] The primary issue with expansive soils is their inherent weakness and unpredictable behavior. This characteristic makes them inadequate for bearing heavy loads or being utilized in construction without appropriate modification and stabilization. In their natural state, these soils can undergo substantial changes in consistency and structural integrity due to environmental factors like rainfall, leading to ground settlement, foundation displacement, and structural harm.
[004] Geotechnical engineers and soil scientists commonly employ a fundamental suite of tests called Atterberg limits to evaluate and classify fine-grained soils like expansive. These tests include the liquid limit and plastic limit assessments, crucial for understanding a soil's behavior, plasticity, and consistency. The liquid limit marks the moisture content at which the soil shifts from a liquid to a plastic state, while the plastic limit represents when it transitions to a more solid form. These limits are pivotal in categorizing fine-grained soils and determining their suitability for diverse engineering applications.
[005] Controlling Atterberg limits, particularly the plastic and liquid limits, is crucial when dealing with expansive soils. Altering these consistency limits significantly enhances the soil's engineering properties, making it more appropriate for construction and infrastructure. Achieving this control involves incorporating specific admixtures that not only exhibit good bonding but also improve the soil's drainage capabilities.
[006] Traditionally, soil stabilization has involved adding cement as an admixture, significantly boosting compressive strength and load-bearing capacity. However, cement-stabilized soils tend to be rigid and less flexible, which isn't ideal for applications requiring flexibility, like road pavements in areas with significant ground movement. Moreover, cement production is energy-intensive, emits carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing to environmental concerns and climate change. Additionally, the cost of cement and the equipment necessary for mixing and application make cement stabilization expensive, particularly for large-scale projects.
[007] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced method for determining compaction characteristics of Stabilized soil that can administer aforementioned limitations more efficiently.
SUMMARY
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil. The method comprising steps of: performing a sieve analysis on a pre-defined quantity of the soil using a sieve with a mesh of a pre-defined size; adding a fixed proportion of additives selected from an Asbestos-free fiber powder and a silica grit to the soil; mixing the additives thoroughly with the soil for a pre-defined duration; incrementally adding water to the mixture following the thorough mixing of the additives with the soil; and conducting compaction tests at each incremental stage with a gradually increasing amount of water to determine a point at which limits of the soil undergo significant changes.
[009] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a soil stabilization composition that comprises additive such as asbestos-free fibre powder that enhances cohesion and give more resistance to shear forces.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil using asbestos-free fiber powder and silica grit.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil that reduces moisture content in the soil and helps the soil to be more stable and stronger.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method that utilizes a combination of different additives for increasing different geotechnical properties of soil.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates Asbestos-free fibre powder, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates silica grit, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1C illustrates a sieve, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil using the asbestos-free fiber powder and the silica grit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0023] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0024] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0025] FIG. 1A illustrates Asbestos-free fibre powder 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be a specific type of fibrous material that may be free from asbestos content and may be used as a first additive in soil stabilization. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be employed as an admixture, that means the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be added to a pre-defined quantity of soil to modify its properties and enhance its performance. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined quantity of soil may be in a range of 120 grams to 140 grams. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined quantity of soil may be 130 grams. In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of soil may be, but not limited to, clay soil, silt soil, sand soil, loam soil, rocky soil, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the type of soil may be a black cotton soil. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the soil, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, a primary purpose of using the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 is to contribute to the stabilization of the soil, particularly in terms of reducing its moisture content and improving its strength and stability. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may ensure that no harmful asbestos fibers are introduced into the soil during a stabilization process, thus prioritizing safety and environmental considerations.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be incorporated into the soil, the fibers may create a network or matrix, that helps to bind soil particles together, reducing its tendency to erode, crack, or undergo excessive volume changes with variations in the moisture content. Further, the Asbestos-free fibre powder 100 may enhance cohesion and give more resistance to shear forces. In an embodiment of the present invention, a fixed proportion of the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be added to the soil. In such embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be fixed with respect to dry weight of the soil. In other words, the fixed proportion of the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 may be determined based on a percentage of the dry weight of the soil. In an embodiment of the present invention, a specific proportion or percentage of the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 used in the soil stabilization may depend on desired engineering properties, the type of soil, and intended application.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to determine an optimal proportion of the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100, compaction tests and experiments may be conducted to determine the compaction characteristics of the stabilized soil, by varying the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 content to identify a ratio that best achieves desired improvements in soil stability, drainage, and other relevant properties. In an embodiment of the present invention, the compaction tests and the experiments may be, but not limited to, shear strength tests, permeability tests, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compaction tests and the experiments may be Atterberg Limits Tests. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the tests and experiments, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Atterberg Limits Tests may be, but not limited to, Plastic Limit (PL) test, Shrinkage Limit (SL) test, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Atterberg Limits Tests may be Liquid Limit (LL) test. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the Atterberg Limits Tests, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the compaction characteristics may be, but not limited to, an Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), a Maximum Dry Density (MDD), a Compaction Effort Sensitivity, a Permeability, a Strength, and a Volume Change. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any compaction characteristics, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] FIG. 1B illustrates silica grit 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the silica grit 102 may refer to a specific material used as a second additive in the soil stabilization. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the silica grit 102 may be employed as an admixture, meaning it is added to the soil to modify its properties and improve its performance, especially in terms of stability and strength. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, a mixing of the silica grit 102 into the soil may enhance drainage, increase a permeability of the soil, and further may enhance compaction properties of the soil.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, a proportion of the silica grit 102 may be fixed with respect to the dry weight of the soil. In an embodiment of the present invention, a specific proportion or percentage of the silica grit 102 used in the soil stabilization may depend on the desired engineering properties, the type of soil, and the intended application. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to determine an optimal proportion of the silica grit 102, the compaction tests and experiments may be conducted (as discussed in the FIG. 1A) to determine the compaction characteristics, by varying the silica grit 102 content to identify a ratio that best achieves the desired improvements in the soil stability, the drainage, and other relevant properties.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the soil, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] FIG. 1C illustrates a sieve 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sieve 104 may be having a mesh of a pre-defined size. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined size may be 425 Micrometers (µ). In an embodiment of the present invention, the sieve 104 may be used for performing sieve analysis of the soil. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the soil may be placed on top of the sieve 104, that may be a part of a stack of sieves with progressively smaller openings. In such embodiment of the present invention, the stack of sieves may be mechanically or manually shaken for a specified period of time. During this process, soil particles may be separated by size, with finer particles passing through openings of the sieve 104 and coarser particles being retained on top of the sieve 104. In other words, the sieve analysis may be performed to determine a particle size distribution of the soil.
[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for determining compaction characteristics for stabilizing the soil using the asbestos-free fiber powder 100 and the silica grit 102, according of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] At step 202, the sieve analysis may be performed on the pre-defined quantity of the collected soil using the sieve 104 with the mesh of the pre-defined size.
[0036] At step 204, the fixed proportion of the additives such as the Asbestos-free fiber powder 100 and the silica grit 102 may be added to the soil.
[0037] At step 206, the additives may be mixed thoroughly with the soil for a pre-defined duration to create a uniform mixture. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined duration may be approximately 5 minutes. The mixing of the additives and the soil is performed through a normal hand mixing.
[0038] At step 208, water may be added incrementally to the mixture following the thorough mixing of the additives with the soil.
[0039] At step 210, the compaction tests may be conducted at each stage with a gradually increasing amount of water to identify a point at which limits of the soil begin to change, particularly the Atterberg limits. The compaction tests may be the Atterberg Limits Tests such as the Liquid Limit (LL) tests.
[0040] At step 212, the step 204 to the step 210 may be repeated using various combinations of the additives to obtain an optimized combination of the additives.
[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A method (200) for determining compaction characteristics of stabilized soil, wherein the method (200) comprising steps of:
performing a sieve analysis on pre-defined quantity of the soil by using a sieve (104) with a mesh of a pre-defined size;
adding a fixed proportion of additives selected from an Asbestos-free fiber powder (100) and a silica grit (102) to the soil;
mixing the additives thoroughly with the soil for a pre-defined duration;
incrementally adding water to the mixture following the thorough mixing of the additives with the soil; and
conducting compaction tests at each incremental stage with a gradually increasing amount of water to determine a point at which limits of the soil undergo significant changes.
2. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compaction characteristics are selected from an Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), a Maximum Dry Density (MDD), a Compaction Effort Sensitivity, a Permeability, a Strength, a Volume Change, or a combination thereof.
3. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined size of the mesh is 425 Micrometers (µm).
4. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined duration is approximately 5 minutes.
5. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a type of the soil is black cotton soil.
6. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conducted compaction tests are liquid limit tests.
7. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined quantity of the soil is in a range of 120 grams to 140 grams.
8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed proportion of the additives is determined based on a percentage of dry weight of the soil.
Date: December 05, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)